Art classes for children set for February

Posted on Monday, January 29, 2018 at 3:48 pm

The Fayetteville-Lincoln County Arts Center will be hosting a series of art classes for children beginning in February.

The classes will be taught by Melanie Laten, who retired as an art teacher from the Birmingham public school system after 26 years of service. Melanie moved to the Tennessee Valley in 2000, where she continues to teach while running the Laten House bed and breakfast inn in Fayetteville. Melanie received her BFA and a master’s degree from the University of Montevallo.

The curriculum will be offered as a unit for six classes starting on Feb. 6 and running through April 24 for $120 per child. There is a discount for a second sibling attending the class, and members of the Arts Center will get a reduced rate of $100 per child. There will be two classes taught on alternate Tuesdays starting at 1:30 p.m. and again at 3:45 p.m. in the Arts Center classroom. Students who arrive by 4 p.m. will still be allowed into the second class. All supplies and instruction will be included in the curriculum.

These classes will include an art history component, as well as an emphasis of the design and principles of the art being explored. Two pieces of art created by each student will be hung in the Arts Center gallery during the month of March in celebration of Youth Art Month. The artwork on display can be picked up on the day of the last class, April 24.

Children are going to do animal-themed art this unit with two three-dimensional projects using a large rock and a long-neck gourd.

On Feb 6, children will paint a horse abstract with vivid impressionistic colors using canvas and acrylic. Children will study the work of Franz Marc and explore the use of warm and cool colors on canvas with acrylic.

On Feb 20, students will paint a picture of a resting deer on a rock using acrylic paint. In this class, students will study the work of several artists that explored animals in nature.

On March 6, children will paint a creative dog or cat portrait using acrylic and oil pastel on canvas. Bring a head picture of your favorite cat, dog or another animal portrait that you would like to paint with bright colors. Students will study contemporary artists who have explored animal portraits, such as the “blue dog series” by George Rodriquez.

On March 20, children will study the work of John James Audubon and paint gourd sculptures.

On April 10, children will study birds and jungles by looking at the work of Henri Rousseau. This one has a lot of detail, which is why it was saved for last. It will be a two-week project, and students may use a little oil paint on the second class.

On April 24, children will finish Rousseau bird and jungle painting. If time permits, students may do an animal tile in addition to the canvas painting.

A deposit for the class must be paid by Feb. 1 so supplies can be purchased. To reserve your space in this class, please call Melanie Laten at 256-651-7648. Additional information and photos of the works to be completed in the class are available on the Arts Center’s website, FLC-ArtsCenter.com/artclass.

The Arts Center is a charitable, non-profit corporation with a mission to enhance the quality of life in our community through the presentation, education, and promotion of all types of art. The Arts Center is already well-known for its twice monthly performing arts shows that give every performing artist a chance to be a star on our stage.

“This class series is the first of many we hope to bring to the community this year as we emphasize art through education,” said Arts Center President Ron Hackett.

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